Principal Ian Frost then resigned, followed by three governors , and in September Helen Glass - the regional director of the academy's sponsors the White Horse Federation who was tasked with changing the school's fortunes - also left her position .

Andy Vinton is the interim principal there.

Yesterday it was announced that the school will take on a new approach, with direct support from Churchdown School Academy, Sir Thomas Rich's School and The Crypt School.

All of those are rated either 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted and have offered Gloucester Academy 'expert teaching, learning and leadership support', a statement said.

Summary of Gloucester Academy's last Ofsted report

This is an inadequate school

Leaders have failed to improve the standard of education since the previous inspection.

The support offered by the multi-academy trust has failed to make an impact until recent months.

Too often teaching is weak and poorly matched to the needs of pupils. Leaders, including middle leaders, are not effectively holding teachers to account for weak outcomes.

Teachers’ expectations are too low. As a result, pupils are making poor progress, especially at key stage 4.

Leaders’ plans to improve the progress of disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities have had little impact.

Pupils’ basic literacy and numeracy skills are weak in English and mathematics and across the wider curriculum.

The most able pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are not stretched and challenged in their work and are making the least progress of all groups in the school.

Attendance of pupils is too low, especially of the most vulnerable pupils.

Safeguarding is not effective. Leaders have failed to follow the correct procedures for ensuring the safety of pupils on a regular basis.

Too few sixth-form students are provided with work experience opportunities.

Too many pupils display persistent poor behaviour. This disrupts learning for other pupils.

Leaders have not promoted pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development effectively. Too many pupils are not aware of fundamental British values. As a result, pupils are not prepared well for life in modern Britain.

The school has the following strengths

Pupils learn well in humanities and are making better progress than in other subjects.

Support from trust leaders has been more effective in recent months.

How will they be helping?

The schools are all part of the G15, a partnership of the city’s 12 secondary schools, The Milestone School and Gloucestershire College.

The G15 regularly meets to share best practice across all schools, offer support and advice, as well as improve the opportunities and activities available to all school pupils in Gloucester.

Churchdown School headteacher Chris Belli will be joining Gloucester Academy’s Board of Governors to work with the school’s leadership and play a part in directing the 'improvement journey'.

Chris has been headteacher at Churchdown for five years.

Headteacher Chris Belli outside Churchdown School Academy

Chris said: “The opportunity to work collaboratively with neighbouring schools in order to improve is something that I think benefits all schools. I look forward to the chance to work with Gloucester Academy to share ideas and quality practice and to play a part in continuing to improve the life chances of the students in Gloucester city.

“Having visited the school, I was really inspired by the determination and collective confidence of staff and students. I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with student council representatives and I was amazed by their passion for their school and the excitement for the next stage of their educational journey.”

Sir Thomas Rich’s School will be providing support to 'develop middle leadership' and work alongside members of the senior leadership team in embedding techniques and approaches that will 'push the more able'.

Headmaster Matthew Morgan at A level results day at Sir Thomas Rich's

Headmaster of Sir Thomas Rich’s and chairman of G15, Matthew Morgan, said: “Gloucester Academy has engaged proactively with G15 and our shared commitment to raising achievement through a collaborative approach across Gloucester city.

"As a group, we share our experiences and through working closely help all schools address their challenges, as well as bringing our pupils together to raise ambitions and break down barriers.

“We are looking forward to working with Gloucester Academy increasingly in the New Year. So far, I have been impressed by the good behaviour and high standards I have witnessed, and have taken back some ideas to Sir Thomas Rich’s.”

Nick Dyer, headmaster of The Crypt, added: “It is part of the culture of the G15 to support our fellow Gloucester schools, and our role as a teaching school to support best practice and the development of teaching across our area.

"School improvement is never a quick process however we are looking to raise the standards of teaching and learning over the course of the next few months and this ongoing partnership will lead to better outcomes for all of the children at Gloucester Academy.”

Both The Crypt and Sir Thomas Rich’s are teaching schools as part of the Gloucestershire Teaching School Alliance Network, in which member schools have a role to work with others to provide high-quality training and support for school improvement in their local area.

Interim Principal of Gloucester Academy, Andy Vinton, said: “We believe that school improvement is most effective when you take a collaborative approach; working with fellow educators, excellent schools, parents and the local community. We all play a part in providing our young people with the best possible outcomes and opportunities and this collaboration through the G15 will have very positive effects for many years to come.”